Connect with meMikaela advises insurers and employers across all areas of EPL, including defending WHS prosecutions, acting for employers in SafeWork investigations, advising and appearing in the Fair Work Commission in general protections and unfair dismissal applications, and advising and appearing in discrimination and sexual harassment disputes in the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal and the Australian Human Rights Commission. She also advises on contract and management disputes and workplace investigations regarding employee disputes and grievances.
Mikaela has significant experience working with the Education sector and has worked closely with tertiary sector clients in litigated matters involving claims of discrimination, including sexual harassment. This has involved working closely with sector clients on ensuring that all relevant policies and procedures adhere to model litigant and best practice standards.
Her other area of focus is in representing financial services professionals, including financial planners and accountants, in AFCA disputes and Supreme Court of NSW proceedings. This includes defending allegations of professional negligence involving breaches of duty of care, misleading and deceptive conduct, and misrepresentation.
Mikaela is known for her commercial approach, efficiency, and strong client relationships.
Work Health and Safety
- SafeWork v MMP Industrial Pty Ltd – successfully negotiated a withdrawal of a charge against the director of the client, in exchange for a guilty plea by the company to a set of facts that were favourable to the client. Although the defendant had a previous charge and record, Mikaela’s representation in the sentencing hearing resulted in a reasonable sentence being handed down, given the seriousness of the work, health and safety breach.
Sexual Harassment and Discrimination
- Conducting litigation around the right to be free from sexual discrimination at work and the right to be free from a sexually hostile work environment.
- Preparing and delivering training programs to clients and employers on the elimination of all forms of discrimination in employment, including on the new Respect@Work legislation.
Professional Indemnity
- Acting for accountants, financial advisors and real estate agents in litigated proceedings involving allegations of negligent tax structuring advice.
- Regularly acting for financial planners and AFSLs arising from allegations of negligent financial planning advice.
Financial Institutions
- Acting for AFSLs and financial planners in actions before AFCA and the courts, involving issues such as negligent advice to invest in real property through an SMSF.
- Financial Institutions
- Inquiries, Investigations and Prosecutions
- Management Liability
- Professional Liability
- Sexual Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination
- Unfair Dismissals and General Protections Claims
- Work Health and Safety
- Workplace Investigations
- Construction and Infrastructure
- Financial Institutions and Services
- Healthcare and Life Sciences
- Manufacturing and Consumer Goods
- Marine and Transport
- Professions and Business Services
- Public Sector and Education
- Law Society of New South Wales
- Women in Insurance
- Young Insurance Professionals